Alex K

Hi had this in my collection for a looong time, never gave it much thought. However does anyone anything about it? being St Helena, I assume it's about Napoleon's period spent on that Island. Why was it awarded, how many were awarded, and is the ribbon the correct one as it's the 1914-18 Croix De Guerre, any help appreciated regards Alex

I think it's for the Nazi "Deutsche Arbeits Front" uniform, the organization lead by Robert Ley regards Alex K "Edit" Photo showing DAF and Robert Ley with some other guy who's name escapes me for the moment http://history1900s.about.com/library/holo.../blhitler52.htm

Hi Haynau, thanks, great info regards Alex

Thankyou for the clarification gentlemen, I don't suppose anyone would know which would be the correct ribbon. Regards Alex

Hi kevin, I tried to post a closer shot but for some reason my PC siad get stuffed, so I'll try again regards

pure crap in my opinion, the quality is just not there Alex

Anyone give me the low down on this? I think it's Austrian (eagle looks Austrian) but apart from it being issued after the war, due to the dates I don't know anything else about it. is the ribbon correct, I suspect not since it is in fact german regards Alex

Hi Paul, It worked for me (At Work in my lunchtime of course) Regards Alex

Hi Stan thanks for the reply, I thought that a small additional number must have been made. regards Alex

Only 11 were actually awarded, But would anyone like to guess or estimate how many were actually likely to have been made? I assume that they were not made as one-off's when Hitler decided to award one, or am I wrong, and they were actually individually made to order (No pun intended), clearly there are some on the market which were not attributed. regards Alex

Hi Dan, glad to see that you are pleased with your piece, even though it may not be an original, I understand that Souval 1950 pieces are becoming collector items in themselves, I'm sure that it's value will actually increase, shame you passed up on an original, but I have to agree that at the time it was a lot of money to have tied up in a badge sitting in a box or cupboard, In those days, the value of such items was more was more subjective and little certainty that values would rocket as they are now doing. I've also seen the 3rd classes for sale, and the quality is nowhere as good as the original or a Souval, regards Alex

Hi Hauptman I'm no expert but L/58 was Souval's wartime number I believe, so it may unfortunately be one of his post war efforts, maybe more knowledgeable persons can confirm or otherwise, I actually wouldn't mind one for myself a a space filler regards Alex

sorry, deleted, wrong thread Alex K

Troy, you may want to look at the following link which particularly discusses the EK 1 & II from the 1914-18 war. Here you will find many examples and styles of the EK. as you will see the EK1914-18 was produced by many different manufacturers in many different styles, particularly the reverse pin, screwback attachment etc, it really is field on it's own. There are many members who specialise in this field alone who should be able to give you specific support in your collecting requirements. The secret is observe observe and observe, and if in doubt, ask, as you have already done so. unfortunately, this area of collecting is a minefiled, through which you may need to tread carefully. I have learned a great deal from input on this forum http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=113 best regards Alex K

Hi Troy, here's an image of mine, also mounted with original ribbon. the reason for mentioning the forbidden "Modern replacement" ribbons in my earlier post is that I understand from other members that collectors of european awards, particularly imperial german feel that a replacement ribbon actually may de-value the piece rather than enhance it. This seems to be the completely the opposite for those who collect for example British campaign medals of which I have a reasonable collection. replacement ribbons in this case does not always detract if a quality replacement can be found. sorry to ramble regards Alex K

Hi Troy, I think it's a modern repro, the paint looks to thick and new, also the pins looks wrong. It's difficult to tell from the pictures but it looks like a one piece, and not three piece production. wait for other comments regards Alex K

hi Troy, nice price for the medal. If you can't get an original ribbon, this site has a good selection of modern (dare I say it) replacements. http://www.worldmedals.co.uk/Rib/germrib.htm regards Alex K

Hi Troy, from my limited knowledge of Polish it seems to be a "Good Socialists Worker's" badge Regards Alex

Hi are saying that the case is the only original piece? regards Alex

Hi militaria0815, It seems that I inadverently misled when I said that I had two verified examples, I do, but are the MVO4 X,?posted?earler,?and?technically?outside?this?thread and a MVK3 X (without enamel),?I?don't?own?a MVK1?with?or?without?crown?and?X,?and from what's been said previously am unlikely to , sorry?for?the?confusion Alex K

I thought ling before posting this, however, here goes, I have also watched this thread with great interest. I was after all, the first to congratulate Kevin on a nice acquisition. As it transpires from later postings, other members cast doubt on the authenticity of the piece in question, without, as Kevin originally pointed out, any corroborative evidence, just a general blanket statement. My knowledge of this award is limited and the two examples I have, have been verified as authentic. I together with many other members are more than happy to learn from others about items in their collection, with informative comments and information which can be proven, after all most of us have at some stage bought a ?lemon?. That being said, tempers have been raised in a number of postings which as Rick Research, Chris Boonzaier and Stogieman have pointed out, detract from the general ethos of this particular forum, and that is, that it is conducted in a friendly and gentlemanly way, with exchange of information which in the end benefits all. The following comments I illustrate by example as being unhelpful "I am able to understand your English as well as your good old aunt was able to understand it! And I would bet that you will get not a single pic of any Bavarian medal here in this forum. Wait til next year and buy "the Bible" then you'll find out all answers to your quests for sure. Btw the author will be in Reichertshofen. Give him fun for some hours and show him your 1st class MVK, even better, let him make a scan of the medal and it will appear in the book (chapter "poor fakes"). Therewith this argument is ended now for my part. Best greetings from clawfinger!!! saschaw: Ist halt schwer bei soviel Ignaranz." If the intention is to persuade people to buy the (Your) book then I would suggest that there are better ways to advertise it regards Alex K

Isn't life getting complicated

Hi, if genuine, and it looks like it my untrained eye, it is a VERY rare Party Award, given out less than 10 times (From Memory) always personally by Adolf.?"Edit"?It?was?cynically?called?the?"Dead?Hero?Order"?as?it?was?nearly?always?handed?out?postumously, two notable people who received it after death were Fritz Todt and Reinhard Heydrich. I believe that Artur Axmann received one at the very end of the war, he survived. Rudolf Souval, a war-time manufacturer of awards, was making copies of these in the 1950's, these are also now fetching rather large amounts of money, and they are fake!! regards Alex

Thankyou saschaw, I will sleep soundly tonight. Forgive my ignorance, but is it just a case of having a lower grade gilded from silver to gold?

another good site for imperial including the red eagle is here http://www.medalnet.net/The_Pour_le_Merite.htm